The unofficial start to the 2018 season kicked off at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday. It also marked the first race for Justin Bogle and the recently formed Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team.

Known for high speeds and a unique layout, the annual Monster Energy Cup lived up to its billing. Unfortunately, a collision with another rider forced Justin Bogle to retire early from the evening’s racing. Bogle, who qualified seventh fastest, continued to gain comfort as the day’s practice sessions commenced. The Oklahoma native was excited to test his speed against a competitive field. Then, without warning, another rider cross-jumped in front of Justin through a tricky rhythm section during the opening stages of the first main event. With nowhere to go, Bogle landed on the side of the other rider’s bike. The impact sent Justin to the ground in violent fashion.

“Obviously, the crash was extremely unfortunate, especially given how well the day was going up to that point,” stated team manager Jeremy Albrecht. “As far as looking at the positives, the Monster Energy Cup allowed the team to work with Justin and basically do a rehearsal before the start of the 2018 Supercross series. Justin was pleased with the 2018 Suzuki RM-Z450. We made small clicker changes to the Showa suspension and changed the fork leg height in order to achieve the chassis balance that Justin was looking for. Saturday night was shaping up to be a successful evening, but then the incident happened. Looking back at team film we realize it was an accident. That’s racing. We will take what we learned this weekend and continue preparation for the upcoming season.”

Justin Bogle sustained a concussion, and later had breathing troubles as a result of an asthma attack. He was transported to a local hospital to undergo observation and was cleared. Justin will take the necessary time off to recover. Special thanks to the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit and Feld Motorsports for their trackside support.

The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team will spend the next few months continuing preparation for the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in Anaheim, Calif. on January 6th.

About Autotrader: Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today&#39;s empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

About JGRMX: Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross (JGRMX), based in Huntersville, NC, was founded in 2007 by Coy Gibbs, son of NFL Hall of Fame head coach and multi-time NASCAR Championship winning team owner Joe Gibbs. JGRMX competes in both the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series as well as the Monster Energy Supercross series with support from Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. aboard Suzuki RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 race machines.

About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.

The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team is proud to announce the signing of Justin Hill for the 2018-‘19 supercross/motocross seasons.

Justin Hill will be an integral part of Suzuki’s intensified focus in the 250 class for 2018. The Yoncalla, Ore. native captured the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250 Western regional title in dominating fashion, winning four main events and never finishing outside of the top five. In fact, Hill has been exceptional indoors since turning Pro in 2013­ – seven main event wins, 16 podium finishes, and 23 top-five Supercross performances in 36 races. Injuries have hampered Justin the past two years in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship series; however, the amiable 22 year old has amassed 17 top-ten National finishes when healthy.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing effort. I have known [team manager] Jeremy Albrecht for a while now, and have always respected the JGRMX program,” stated Justin Hill. “I was blown away after taking a tour of the team’s headquarters in Huntersville, N.C. It’s amazing how they invest so much time and money into finding solutions in an effort to gain a competitive edge. I knew immediately that I needed to be involved with them.”

Justin Hill is no stranger to Suzuki, having raced on a RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 as an amateur in 2010. Hill explained, “I won my first big bike championship on a Suzuki and have fond memories of the brand. Comfort on the bike, as well as confidence in the team, are crucial to a rider’s success. JGR expressed their faith by offering me a multi-year deal that extends into the 450 class. I’m looking forward to defending my 250 West Supercross title on the Suzuki RM-Z250, making a big push outdoors in what will be my last year in the 250 class, and then taking the pathway up to the 450 class with JGRMX in 2019.”

Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team manager Jeremy Albrecht is thrilled to have Justin Hill representing the team’s factory effort for 2018 and beyond. “Justin is a phenomenal talent. He has incredible ability on a motorcycle and is the cornerstone of our 250 program. In getting to know Justin, I’m also impressed with his professionalism and demeanor.” Albrecht continued, “The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team expects to win races, and I have the utmost confidence in Justin. His resume speaks for itself.”

Suzuki is very enthusiastic about the signing of Justin Hill. “With this news it should be obvious that Suzuki and JGR are committed to competing at the highest level in 250 racing,” commented Chris Wheeler, MX Manager at Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. “The team has already logged an incredible amount of hours during pre-season testing. Engineers from both Suzuki Japan and Yoshimura have come together at the JGRMX headquarters as part of the new formation that has solidified JGRMX as Suzuki's factory effort.”

The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team will make its 250 debut at the opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in Anaheim, Calif. on January 6th, 2018.

About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

About JGRMX: Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross (JGRMX), based in Huntersville, NC, was founded in 2007 by Coy Gibbs, son of NFL Hall of Fame head coach and multi-time NASCAR Championship winning team owner Joe Gibbs. JGRMX competes in both the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series as well as the Monster Energy Supercross series with support from Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. aboard Suzuki RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 race machines.

About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.

About Autotrader: Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Roger Hayden and Toni Elias wrapped up the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, with yet another successful weekend. Hayden scored victory in Saturday’s Race 1, earning him his third win of the season. Elias took second in Sunday’s wet Race 2 to cap off his remarkable championship-winning season.

Hayden’s victory gave the 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000 a stunning debut season. The newly-designed motorcycle simply dominated the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship winning 13 of the 20 rounds and finishing first and second in the championship.

Elias’ title, clinched at the previous round in New Jersey, also marked a record 14th MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike Championship for Suzuki.

The Barber weekend kicked off with Hayden speeding his way to a series-leading seventh Superpole. He then went out in Saturday’s race and led flag to flag to score his third win of the season and seventh MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike victory of his career.

“I really like racing here at Barber and my crew gave me a great motorcycle,” Hayden said. “It felt good to come out and win a race like that, leading every lap. It was a great way to close out the year and makes me really look forward to next season.”

In Sunday’s wet race, Hayden, who had already clinched second in the championship, elected not to race, citing the potential hazards of slippery seal coating in certain sections of the circuit.

Elias also had a strong final weekend. After a rare error in Saturday’s race, which saw him crash unhurt, he turned around and ran a solid come-from-behind race to finish second in the rain on Sunday.

“The conditions were challenging and I rode cautious at first,” Elias said. “But my team made some perfect adjustments to the bike for the wet and I gained confidence as the race continued and that allowed me to finish strong.

“This year was a dream season for me and I again want to thank Suzuki for giving us such a great weapon in the GSX-R1000 and everyone on the Yoshimura team who helped make it possible.”

Elias ended his championship campaign with 10 wins. Interestingly, in just two seasons of MotoAmerica Elias is already tied with his childhood hero Wayne Rainey for eighth on the all-time MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike wins list, with 16-career victories.

About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is "The Leader in Performance" and has been for over 60 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket. Yoshimura exhaust systems are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit, and quality that has been our trademark for six decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com